Toddler loses eye after contracting a rare infection from a kiss
A mother’s heartbreaking warning after her son’s eye was severely damaged by a common virus
A toddler’s life changed forever after he lost vision in one eye due to a herpes infection—likely passed to him through a kiss from someone with a cold sore. His mother, now raising awareness, urges others to be cautious.
Michelle Saaiman, a mother from Namibia, never expected that something as simple as a kiss could have devastating consequences for her 16-month-old son, Juwan.
It all began last August when Michelle noticed something unusual in Juwan’s eye. At first, she thought it was just a regular eye infection. But when antibiotic drops didn’t help, and his condition worsened, she took him to a specialist. That’s when she heard the shocking news—Juwan had contracted the herpes simplex virus (HSV), likely from someone with an active cold sore who kissed him near his eye.
How herpes caused his eye to “melt away”
The virus attacked Juwan’s cornea, leading to severe damage. Eventually, his eye lost its natural lubrication, causing it to dry out. A 4mm hole formed, and doctors feared he might lose the eye completely.
“The herpes just caused so much damage that he essentially lost all feeling in the eye and could not see anything,” Michelle told Metro. “The brain did not recognize the eye anymore and stopped sending signals to it. The gel protecting the eye evaporated, and the eye dried out.”
Realizing the severity of the situation, Juwan’s parents rushed him to Cape Town, South Africa, for specialized treatment. There, he underwent amnion graft surgery to try to save his cornea. His eyelids were temporarily stitched shut to protect the eye, and doctors are now preparing for another major surgery in April. This procedure will involve transferring nerves from his leg to his eye, which could allow for a cornea transplant next year.
Coping with anger and uncertainty
At first, Michelle and her husband struggled with anger, knowing that someone—likely a loved one—had unknowingly passed the virus to their son.
“Both my husband and I were just angry with whoever was so selfish to kiss my child in his face with an active fever blister,” she admitted. “Kisses come from a place of love, so whoever gave him this, I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally.”
The past months have been an emotional rollercoaster for the family. They have had to consult medical experts in New York, find the right medication, and endure sleepless nights worrying about the virus spreading to Juwan’s brain or his other eye.
Although the infection has been controlled, the damage to Juwan’s eye is permanent, and his parents are still fighting to save his vision.
A mother’s plea: “Be cautious when kissing children”
Michelle is now speaking out to raise awareness about the dangers of herpes in young children. Many people don’t realize that cold sores, caused by HSV-1, can lead to serious health issues if the virus spreads beyond the mouth.
“A fever blister is supposed to be on your lips or in your mouth,” she said. “I’ve never in my life heard of a fever blister growing on someone’s cornea.”
She shared her family’s painful journey in a Facebook post that quickly went viral. A fundraiser has also been launched to help cover the high costs of Juwan’s treatment, including medical procedures and travel expenses.
A lesson for all parents and caregivers
This heartbreaking story serves as a powerful reminder that even well-intended gestures, like a simple kiss, can have serious consequences for young children. Many people know that they should avoid contact with babies when sick, especially after the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some don’t realize that cold sores are also highly contagious and can be dangerous for little ones.
Michelle hopes her story will encourage more people to be careful and think twice before kissing young children, especially if they have a cold sore.
Juwan still has a long road ahead, but his family remains hopeful. “He’s such a trooper,” Michelle said. “He’s always had a smile on his face, even though he’s been in severe pain.”
As the family prepares for Juwan’s upcoming surgery, they continue to fight for his future. Their story is a powerful reminder to always prioritize a child’s health and safety—because sometimes, even the smallest gestures can have life-altering consequences.
